Today in bible study, we studied this passage and I had to post it on my blog. This is a parable of the 10 virgins. It made me evaluate my relationship with Jesus and if it is true and real. It also made me think of all the people that I love in my life who I don't want to be caught without their oil, even though they have been invited to the wedding. We are all invited!!!! The "lamps" are symbolic of Christian profession or some sort of church membership/involvement, knowledge of the bible, etc. Some people profess to know Jesus and be "Christians" but do not have a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus and those are the 5 virgins who had everything but their oil (symbolic of the Holy Spirit). They were even excited about the bridegroom (Jesus) coming and called him Lord!! So I just wanted to share this scripture and let these God breathed words be powerful and speak for themselves to each of our hearts as we read them.
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 "Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 "For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5 "Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 6 "But at midnight there was a shout, `Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7 "Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 "The foolish said to the prudent, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 "But the prudent answered, `No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' 10 "And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11 "Later the other virgins also came, saying, `Lord, lord, open up for us.' 12 "But he answered, `Truly I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Two thoughts to share
I am just so amazed at how God can infiltrate my life and mind and teach me in the most normal moments. I wanted to share two HUGE things God showed me yesterday, during my quiet time? NO! While I was sitting on the couch playing with Mali!
1. I've had some struggles with Mali throwing fits and clinging to me when I take her to ballet (this just started a few weeks ago and has gotten progressively worse). I've felt so many things, a lot of them guilt and thinking I'm a bad mom for some reason because, surely, I've caused this maladaptive behavior. I also get fed these ideas from other people too. So, God just spoke to me that I'm not being a bad mom because Mali acts this way, in fact I'm being a good mom by being there when she gets out and always picking her up. I'm teaching her about Jesus and how he has promised to return to us and one day will. Now, I do not compare my self to Jesus and his return, but I'm beginning to learn about parenting Mali so that she sees Jesus in her parents and can easily desire a relationship with Him.
2. Mali is very active and my tendency is to think "we need to get out of the house" or try and find an active activity for her. Yesterday, I sat on the couch and tickled her and said "Mali, you need some crazy time" (that was Holy Spirit inspired, seriously). So I yelled "go, go, go" and similar phrases, while she ran around the living room crazily. That is when God spoke to me again. I realized that when we have problems I tend to parent less by getting her out of the house when the solution may just be to parent MORE by actively coming up with or engaging in an activity with her. Yes, I did know these things from my training, but it was an ah ha moment for me. You can pray for me to take more of these opportunities with Mali if you think of it. It has been even harder with running here and there with errands and work.
1. I've had some struggles with Mali throwing fits and clinging to me when I take her to ballet (this just started a few weeks ago and has gotten progressively worse). I've felt so many things, a lot of them guilt and thinking I'm a bad mom for some reason because, surely, I've caused this maladaptive behavior. I also get fed these ideas from other people too. So, God just spoke to me that I'm not being a bad mom because Mali acts this way, in fact I'm being a good mom by being there when she gets out and always picking her up. I'm teaching her about Jesus and how he has promised to return to us and one day will. Now, I do not compare my self to Jesus and his return, but I'm beginning to learn about parenting Mali so that she sees Jesus in her parents and can easily desire a relationship with Him.
2. Mali is very active and my tendency is to think "we need to get out of the house" or try and find an active activity for her. Yesterday, I sat on the couch and tickled her and said "Mali, you need some crazy time" (that was Holy Spirit inspired, seriously). So I yelled "go, go, go" and similar phrases, while she ran around the living room crazily. That is when God spoke to me again. I realized that when we have problems I tend to parent less by getting her out of the house when the solution may just be to parent MORE by actively coming up with or engaging in an activity with her. Yes, I did know these things from my training, but it was an ah ha moment for me. You can pray for me to take more of these opportunities with Mali if you think of it. It has been even harder with running here and there with errands and work.
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